Takeover will help me get it right, says Roy Hodgson

Liverpool have had a torrid start to the season under new manager Roy Hodgson, currently languishing in the relegation zone

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson admitted today his team are "weak in certain areas" and said he wants the takeover of the club to go through so he can strengthen the squad.

Although Liverpool accepted a £300million offer from New England Sports Ventures yesterday, the deal is subject to a legal challenge by current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

If NESV take over then the club's debts will be wiped out and Hodgson will be in a position to improve a squad who have given the club their worst start to a season in 57 years. "We know we need some new players, we know we need investment and we know we are weak in certain areas of the team — these things have been the case since I arrived at the club and we haven't had a chance to put things right," he said. "What I ask of the fans is their patience, their trust and their belief, because we will get it right.

"The club will be in a pretty healthy situation if the sale goes through. It's very positive and of course I'm delighted."